Combination carburetor and supercharger



Jam "23, 1940.

E. MILLER, JR 2,188,189 COMBINATION GARBURETOR AND SUPERCHARGER Filed July 26, 1939 INVENTOR E'dmunaMz'llenJn ATTORNEY Patented Jan.- 23,1940

um'rro s'rArs COMBINATION CABBURETOR AND SUPEROHARGER Edmund Miller, Jr., Bayaide, N. Y. Application July as, 1939, Serial No. 286,618

QOlaims.

- This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a combination carburetor and supercharger.

The invention has for an object the construc- I a tion of a device as mentioned which is characterized by a hollow body having a tubular axial inlet and a spiral outlet, a shaft rotatively supported axially through said body, a ran associated with said shaft and hollow body in a particular. way, and gas or air tubes also associated with the shaft in a way so that the fan acts to thoroughly vaporize and mix the air and gas.

More specifically the invention proposes to so arrange the blades of the fan that during the operation of the carburetor it is possible to change the pitch of the blades for causing the fan to act in the place of the conventional butterfly throttle valve used in present day carburetors. in one position of the blades it is proposed that they extend transversely across the hollow body and substantially close the entire passage through the body. In other positions of the blades it is proposed that the blades act Still further the invention proposes the con- I struction of a device as mentioned which is sim ple and durable and which may be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, ref.- erence will be had to and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features oi 35- the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a combmation carburetor and supercharger constructed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.;

Fig.3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view looking in the direction of the line 4- of. Flg. 1.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one the fan blades per se.

Fig. 6 is a Fig. 3.

The. combination carburetor and supercharger in accordance with this invention includes a hollow body ill having a tubular axial inlet portion HI and a spiral outlet portion III. A shaft ll is rotatively supported axially through the body as a fan for forcing the vaporized mixture through the spiral outlet.

the following description sectional view on the line M of iii. A sleeve I2 is mounted upon the shaft H and is keyed thereto to slide longitudinally. A Venturi restriction i3 is mounted within the'inlet portion iii. A complementary Venturi p rojection i2 is arranged upon the movable sleeve 5 l2 and is adapted to coast with the restriction i3.

Gas and air tubes i i and i5 are mounted through the shaft ii and connect with aligned passages l6 and i7 formed in the shaft ii and in the sleeves l2, 'and discharge at the Venturi 10 area. A means is provided for moving the sleeve 82 longitudinally, and this means includes a grooved collar ll mounted on the sleeve. A fork engages this collar and is mounted on a movable lever it. A fan shell housing 23 is rotatively supported in the hollow body it immediately adjacent the side wall thereof. Fan blades 2| are pivotally mounted between the housing. ill and the shaft 98 and in transverse positions are adapted to substantially close passage the hollow body iii. A means is provided for changing the pitch of the fan blades 2| controlled by the movement of the sleeve l2 as hereinafter more fully described.

The hollow body iii has a central portion th which is in the shape of a zone of a sphere. This central portion is made from two sections each provided with a flange lt These flanges are secured together by bolts and nuts 22 to join the parts oi the body in one connected unit. The inner end of the shaft l I is rotatively supported by a ball bearing 23 which is mounted in a ball bearing housing 24 arranged uponthe end of the body W. The spiral outlet N starts at a point it which is relatively small and gradually exponds in diameter until it discharges at the point lll l'. At this point it connects with the intake manifold of. the engine through a pipe connection 25.

The sleeve 12 has several key members 26 at- .40

tached to its inner side and these key members engage corresponding longitudinally extending grooves in the shaft ll. Thus the sleeve is keyed to the shaft in a manner so that it may move longitudinally thereof, but these parts must roan The Venturi projection It has a W through which the outer end of the sleeve 52 passes. The projection i3 is held in position by several screws 21 engaging through the wall oi the tubular axial inlet or the g0 hollow body ill. The complementary fifenturi projection l2 upon the sleeve l2 comprises mereiv a curved area on the sleeve which is partially extended along the curved surface B3. The passages I6 formed in the. shaft ii are of elongated tate in unison. curved inner surface through 9 sleeve I2.

' stationary bracket 3|.

The means for longitudinally'moving the sleeve I2 includes a movable lever I9. This lever is pivotally supported by a pintle mounted on a The outer end of the lever is. provided with a connecting rod 32 by Agaging into a branch slot 42 in the sleeve l2 and which it may be moved.

Each blade 2| has a thick rounded end 2| normally directed towards the Venturi area, and a knife shaped end 2| remote from the Venturi area. Each blade 2| is turnably supported by a trunnion having a trunnion element 33 extending through a slot 34 formed in the sleeve I2,

androtatively engaging on the shaft II. The other trunnion'element 33' is mounted upon the outer end of the blade and engages a bearing 35 formed in the shell housing 20. The arrangement is such that each of the blades 2| is capable of pivoting around the trunnion as a central axis of pivoting. The shell housing 35 has av circumferential flange-portion 35 which engages into a corresponding groove 38 formed in the hollow body I0. Thrust ball bearing races 39 are mounted between the side walls of the groove 38 and the flange 35 for rotatively supporting the shell housing 20.

The means for changing the pitch of the fan blades 2|, controlled by the sleeve I2, includes a pin 4| mounted on the inner end of each blade 2| eccentric of the central axis of pivoting, and encommunicating with the longitudinal slot 34. As the sleeve I2 is moved longitudinally, the blades 2| will be simultaneously pivoted in direct relationship to the amount towhich the sleeve is moved.

A small bleed tube 44 is connected with some point on the hollow body I0, past the fan, preferably at the small end of the spiral outlet I0 1.

This tube is provided with a valve 45. It is' intended that this tube 44 be connected with a supply of air. For example it may be connected with the air' jet tube I5 or with another supply of air. This tube is for the purpose of changing the fuel to air ratio, if this is found to be necessary. However under normal operating conditions the valve 4| may be always closed. Under extreme conditions, when necessary, the valve may be opened in any desired amount. In place of this valve any suitable automatic valve arrangement may be used.

The shaft I has its outer end II projecting through the outer end of the sleeve 2. A gear 46 is shown mounted on the shaft end I I. A suitable driving mechanism not shown on the draw; ing, is intended to be connected with the gear for driving the shaft during the operation of the carburetor. Or, if desired, driving means without the use of a gear, such as the gear 46, may be used.

The'operation of the device is as follows:

The shaft II is continuously rotated. This causes the fan which includes the fan blades 2'I and the housing 20 to continuously rotate within the body II]. The fan blades will draw in air through the venturi I3, I2. This air will be mixed with a mixture of fuel and air which is also drawn in through the passages I3 and II. This mixture of fuel and air is obtained from the .in therappended claims.

The carburetor is controlled by operating the lever. I9 so as to longitudinally move the sleeve I2, during the rotation of the shaft I I. The sleeve I2 may be moved into positions in which the blades 2| are transversely within the housing 20 indicated by the dot and dash lines 2|. In this position of the blades, passages through the carburetor is substantially cut off. The blades 2| therefore function to replace the conventional butterfly throttle valve used in carburetors. Moreover the blades also function as a fan to force the gas and air mixture through the carburetor at speeds depending upon the pitch of the blades.

The pitch of the blades is controlled by the position of the sleeve I 2. The branch slots 42 engage the pins 4| to pivot the blades 2| about the central axis of pivoting which includes the trunnion 33 and 33'.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of, my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined ported axially through said body, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and keyed thereto to slide longitudinally, a Venturi restriction in said inlet, a complementary Venturi projection on said movable sleeve coacting with said restriction, gas and air tubes mounted through said shaft and connecting with aligned passages in said shaft and sleeve discharging at the Venturi area, means for longitudinally moving said sleeve, a fan shell housing rotatively supported in said hollow body intimately adjacent the side wall thereof, fan blades pivotally mounted between said housing and shaft and in transverse positions adapted to substantially close said hollow body, and means for changing the pitch of said fan blades controlled by longitudinal movement of said sleeve.

2. A combination carburetor and supercharger, comprising a hollow body having a tubular axial inlet and a spiral outlet, a shaft rotatively supported axially through said body, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and keyed thereto to slide longitudinally, a Venturi restriction in said inlet, a complementary Venturi projection on said movable sleeve coacting with said restriction, gas and' air tubes mounted through said shaft and connecting with aligned passages in said shaft and sleeve discharging at the Venturi area, means for longitudinally moving said sleeve, a fan shell housing rotatively suported in said hollow body intimately adjacent the side wall thereof, fan, blades pivotally mounted between said housing and shaft and in transverse positions adapted to substantially close said hollow body, and means for changing the'pitch of said fan blades controlled by longitudinal movement of said sleeve, said shell housing being of a shape similar to that of a sphere and the central portion ofsaid body in which said housing is located being similarly shaped.

3. A combination carburetor and supercharger,

comprising a hollow body having a tubular axial inlet and a spiral outlet, a shaft rotatively supported axially through said body, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and keyed thereto to slide longitudinally, a Venturi restriction in said inlet, a

complementary Venturi projection on said mov-f able sleeve coacting with said restriction, gas and air tubes mounted through said shaft and connecting with aligned passages in said shaft and sleeve discharging at the Venturi area, means for longitudinally moving said sleeve, a fan shell housing rotatively supported in said hollow body intimately adjacent the side wall thereof, fan blades pivotally mounted between said housing and shaft and in transverse positions adapted to substantially close said hollow body, and means for changing the pitch of said fan blades controlled by longitudinal movement of said sleeve, said shell housing having a flange portion engaging in a groove formed in said hollow body, and bearings disposed between said flange and groove for rotatively supporting housing.

4. A combination carburetor and supercharger,

comprising a hollow body having a tubular axial inlet and a spiral outlet, a shaft rotatively supported axially through said body, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and keyed thereto to slide longitudinally, a Venturi restrictioninsaidinlet,acomplementary Venturi projection on said movable sleeve coacting with said restriction, gas and air tubes mounted through said shaft and connecting with aligned passages in said shaft and sleeve discharging at the Venturi area, means for longitudinally moving said sleeve, a fan shell housing rotatively supported in said hollow body intimately adjacent the side wall thereof, 'fan blades pivotally mounted between said housing and shaft and in transverse positions adapted to substantially close'said hollow body, and means for changing the pitch of said fan blades controlled by longitudinal movement of said sleeve, the inner end of said shaft being mounted in a bearing arranged uponone end of said hollow body.

5. A combination carburetor and supercharger, comprising a hollow body having a tubular axial inlet and a spiral outlet, a shaft rotatively supported axially through said body, a sleeve mount- 1 ed on said shaft and keyed thereto to slide longitudinally, a Venturi restriction in said inlet, a complementary Venturi projection on said movable sleeve coacting with said restriction, gas and air tubes mounted through said shaft and connecting with aligned passages in said shaft and sleeve discharging at the Venturi area, means for longitudinally moving said sleeve, a fan shell housing rotatively supported in said hollow body intimately adjacent the side wall thereof, fan blades pivotally mounted between said housing and shaft and in transverse positions adapted to substantially close said hollow body, and means for changing the pitch of said fan blades controlled by longitudinal movement of said sleeve,

said aligned passages comprising circular passages formed in; the sleeve and aligning with elongated passages formed .in the shaft so that the passages are in alignment with each other in position of the sleeve.

6. A combination carburetor and supercharger, comprising a hollow body having a tubular axial inlet and a spiral outlet, a shaft rotatively supported axially through said body, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and keyed thereto to slide longitudinally, a' Venturi restriction in said inlet, a complementary Venturl projection on said movable sleeve coactin'g with said restriction, gas and air tubes mounted through said shaft and connecting with aligned passages in said shaft and sleeve discharging at the Venturi area, means for lo igitudlnally moving said sleeve, a fan shell housing rotatively supported in said hollow body intimately adjacent the side wall thereof, fan blades pivotally mounted between said housing and shaft and in transverse positions adapted to substantially close said hollow body, and means for changing the pitch of said fan blades controlled by longitudinal movement of said sleeve, said means for longitudinally moving the sleeves including a grooved collar mounted on the sleeve, a fork connecting with said grooved collar, and means for moving said fork.

7. A combination carburetor and supercharger, comprising a hollow body having a tubular axial inlet and a spiral outlet, a shaft rotatively supported axially through said body, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and keyed thereto to slide longitudinally, a Venturi restriction in said inlet, a complementary Venturi projection on said movable sleeve coacting with said restriction, gas and air tubes mounted throughrsaid shaft and conmeeting with aligned passages in said shaft and sleeve discharging at the Venturi area, means for longitudinally moving said sleeve, a fan shell housing rotatively supported in said hollow body intimately adjacent the side wall thereof, fan blades pivotally mounted between said housing and shaft and in transverse positions adapted to substantially close said hollow body, and means for changing the pitch of said fan blades controlled by longitudinal movement of said sleeve, each of said blades being provided with a trun nion at its inner and outer ends, one element of the trunnion being turnably engaged in said shaft and the other end of the trunnion being turnably engaged in said housing.

8. A combination carburetor and supercharger, comprising a hollow body having a tubular axial inlet and a spiral outlet, a shaft rotatively supported axially through said body, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and keyed thereto to slide longitudinally, a Venturi restriction in said inlet, a complementary Venturi projection on said movable sleeve coacting with said restriction, gas and air tubes mounted through said shaft and conmeeting with aligned passages in said shaft and sleeve discharging at the Venturi area, means for longitudinally moving said sleeve, a fan shell housing rotatively supported in said hollow body intimately 'adjacentthe side wall thereof, fan blades 'pivotally mounted between said housing and shaft and in transverse positions adapted to substantially close said hollow body, and means for changing the pitch of said fan blades coneach, of said blades being nion at its inner and outer ends, one element of the trunnion being turnably engaged in said shaft and the other end of the trunnion being turnably engaged in said housing, said means for changing the pitch of the fan blades including pins on the inner ends of the fan blades and engaging in offset slots formed in said sleeve, said ofiset slots communicating with said longitudinal slots formedin the sleeve through which the inner trunnion elements pass.

9. A combination carburetor and supercharger, comprising a'hollow bodyhaving a tubular axial inlet and a spiral outlet, a shaft rotatively supported axially through saidbody, a sleeve mounted on said shaft and keyed thereto to slide longiprovided with a trunable sleeve coacting with said restriction,

tudinally, a Venturi restriction in said inlet, a complementary Venturi projection on said movgas and air tubes mounted through said shaft and connecting with aligned passages in said shaft and sleeve discharging at the Venturi area, means for longitudinally moving said sleeve, a fan shell housing rotatively supported in said hollow body intimately adjacent the side wall thereof, fan

blades pivotally mounted between said housing and. shaft and in transverse positions adapted to substantiallyclose said hollow body, and means for changing the pitch of said fan blades controlled by longitudinal movement of said sleeve,

each 01 said blades being provided with a trimnion at its inner and outer ends, one element of the trunnion being turnably engaged in said shaft and the other end of the trunnion being Y turnably engaged in said housing, said means for changing the pitch of the fan blades including pins on the inner ends of the fan blades and engaging in ofl'set slots formed in said sleeve, said offset slots communicating with said longitudinal slots formedlin the sleeve through which the inner trunnion elements pass, and means for driving said shaft.

EDMUND MILLER, JR. 

